Man arrested in Michigan for cold case Calif. killing

Posted: Oct 15, 2013 06:31 AM PDT

Updated: Aug 28, 2016 06:47 PM PDT

YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. - Detectives from Michigan and California have arrested a 41-year-old man in connection with the disappearance of his wife, whose body was found buried in the desert near Yucca Valley in 2004.

Authorities say Charles Patrick Leppan was taken into custody at his home in Brandon Township, Mich., on Monday.

Leppan and his wife, Jean, lived in Yucca Valley when she disappeared in 2004. Her skeletal remains were found by a man walking his dog.

San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies questioned Leppan at the time but he was not charged.

Michigan authorities say California detectives arrived with a homicide warrant for his arrest.

He is in jail pending an extradition hearing.

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